Offshore Wind Journal

Taiwanese projects see EnBW take first steps in international market

A German company has acquired a 37.5% stake in a trio of offshore wind projects and is to collaborate with Maquarie Capital and Swancor Renewable.

EnBW is breaking out of its domestic market in Germany and pursuing growth in the international market. Together with Australian investor Macquarie Capital and Taiwanese project developer Swancor Renewable, the company is to press ahead with the development of three offshore wind projects in Taiwan and has acquired a 37.5% stake in each of three offshore wind projects with a potential total volume of approximately 2 GW.

Initially the partnership will focus on securing grid connection capacity for the projects in Taiwan’s Changhua region.

EnBW will take responsibility for the majority of project development and already has personnel on site in Taiwan. A local workforce will also be established with employees trained and qualified by EnBW.

“Over recent years, EnBW has accumulated valuable know-how in planning, developing, constructing and operating offshore windfarms. With 336 MW in operation, 610 MW under construction and a further 900 MW planned, we are evolving into one of the leading offshore wind developers and operators,” said the company’s head of generation, Dirk Güsewell.

“In moving into project development in Taiwan, we have opened the latest chapter in our offshore wind activities. The expertise that we have built up in the offshore wind sector in the last few years is in demand worldwide, and we want to export it. That is why we are also directing our sights at international offshore wind markets that offer growth opportunities and an attractive economic environment.”

As highlighted recently by OWJ, Taiwan is phasing out nuclear power and aims to make up for some of the resulting shortfall by expanding renewable energy, including offshore wind.